Wearing ZANU-PF T-shirts, dresses and hats and some draped in Zimbabwe’s flag, Mugabe’s followers sang and chanted slogans calling for the president to rule for life. They denounced organizers of anti-government campaigns and warned of unspecified action against dissenting voices.

Speakers promised to parcel out urban land for housing to youths, amid slogans against pastor Evan Mawarire, whose social media campaign #ThisFlag has criticized Mugabe and prompted a nation-wide strike on July 6.

“You go around claiming you are tired of the president. Our president is delivering on his promises. You want to disturb him, we are here to defend him,” said ZANU-PF youth leader Kudzai Chipanga.

He said Mugabe had made plans to distribute more than 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of urban land countrywide for youth housing projects.

Zimbabwe, ruled by Mugabe for 36 years, has seen rising discontent due to a sharply deteriorating economy and alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

Mugabe on Tuesday criticized those supporting the #ThisFlag campaign. Mugabe told them to leave Zimbabwe if they are unhappy with conditions at home.

A pro-Mugabe demonstration dubbed the million man march in May attracted similarly huge crowds.